From the National Center for Biotechnology Information: “Children who experience early life toxic stress are at risk of long-term adverse health effects that may not manifest until adulthood. This article briefly summarizes the findings in recent studies on toxic stress and childhood adversity following the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Report on the effects of toxic stress. A review of toxic stress and its effects is described, including factors of vulnerability, resilience, and the relaxation response. An integrative approach to the prevention and treatment of toxic stress necessitates individual, community and national focus.”

Question: How can investment in inner cities benefit neighborhoods without gentrification creeping in?

From The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity: “Neighborhood improvement (or revitalization) is not synonymous with gentrification. Neighborhood reinvestment can occur and improve the quality of life for existing residents without the widespread displacement associated with gentrification. Several urban/social policy research institutions have been pushing for a new model of development that does not gentrify the community. These new development models have been labeled as “equitable development” or “community revitalization”.”

Question: Do you feel that HUD policies have helped or hindered racial integration in KC (overall)?

From The Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: “HUD recognizes the importance of creating neighborhoods of opportunity, and its Choice Neighborhoods initiative is designed to deconcentrate poverty and address the interconnected problems caused by living in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. The initiative’s goal is to strengthen the underlying social structure of neighborhoods through competitive grants, which will encourage strong local partnerships and allow some funding flexibility to catalyze local improvement of key neighborhood assets.”

From the NY Times: “Experts have long known that rich people generally live longer than poor people. But a growing body of data shows a more disturbing pattern: Despite big advances in medicine, technology and education, the longevity gap between high-income and low-income Americans has been widening sharply.”